Unemployment payments suddenly stop for some Marylanders

New unemployment claims declined for another week in Maryland by more than 20%, but there’s a new problem involving some people who had successfully filed but haven’t gotten paid in several weeks.|| Coronavirus updates | Maryland’s latest numbers | Rumor Control ||”We’re really, really struggling. We’re not getting any income, really,” said Lisa Gustaitis. “The anger and the frustration is what makes you want to cry because you just want to be able to support your family.”It’s a refrain that has become all too familiar among unemployed Marylanders.”The weeks are piling up. I have no money. I have kids with no food. Nothing, I have nothing,” said Dana Goodman.WBAL-TV 11 News has been flooded with emails and calls from frustrated residents who are having trouble filing for unemployment benefits. Now, some who were getting paid said the payments have suddenly stopped.”I received my first check and my card in the mail about two and a half weeks after I filed, and I have not received another check since then,” Goodman said.Another refrain: No one can find out what’s going on either via the website, phone or email.”I’ve been emailing anybody that is related to unemployment. Nobody answers when you try to call. It’s busy. I start at 6:45 in the morning and I don’t stop until 6:30 at night. I can’t ever get through,” Goodman said.”We’ve tried to call, we’ve gone online, we’ve been kicked out, disconnected. We cannot get a person or any money,” Gustaitis said.Gov. Larry Hogan addressed the problems with the new system in his press conference Wednesday, saying: “We’re working around the clock. We’ve hired hundreds of people to try and get it fixed. It frustrates the heck out of me, just like all those folks.””I’m tired of hearing they’re frustrated,” Gustaitis said. “They’re still getting paid. We’re not.”The number of first-time jobless claims fell last week, but, still, almost 40,000 people applied. The total number of those who have filed for unemployment since the middle of March is more than 380,000, and those people have a plea to Maryland officials.”Fix it for the people because the people are struggling,” Gustaitis said.They want state officials to hear them and to fix whatever is causing the problem.”I pay my taxes and I do what I’m supposed to do. All I need is to have money for my family,” Goodman said.WBAL-TV 11 News reached out to the Maryland Department of Labor and Sagitec, the vendor running the BEACON One-Stop Application website, looking for answers about why some people have stopped getting checks. A response has yet to be received.The Unemployment Insurance Claim Center hours have been extended weekdays to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and claims centers will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon — call 410-949-0022.The BEACON One-Stop Online Application website was launched April 24 and has posed problems for many Marylanders since.Announced April 27, the Maryland Department of Labor is implementing a new gating system:SUNDAYS and MONDAYS: ONLY residents who are filing weekly claim certifications will be able to file. People who cannot file weekly claim certifications on Sunday or Monday can file it on any other day.TUESDAYS through SATURDAYS: Residents can file new claims as well as complete all other activities.Those applying online will see a virtual waiting line: “By entering this system, you will be able to see how many individuals are waiting for site access, receive an estimated wait time that is constantly updated and sign up to receive an email when the system is ready for you to access the platform,” the Maryland Department of Labor posted online April 27.|| Click here to access the BEACON application ||ALSO: Department of Labor creates YouTube videos to help with filing unemploymentThe BEACON website will be taken offline from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. so that the vendor can run diagnostics and for maintenance.If you have questions about the new application, you can read the DOL’s BEACON One-Stop FAQs.More information: How to apply for unemployment insurance.

New unemployment claims declined for another week in Maryland by more than 20%, but there’s a new problem involving some people who had successfully filed but haven’t gotten paid in several weeks.

|| Coronavirus updates | Maryland’s latest numbers | Rumor Control ||

“We’re really, really struggling. We’re not getting any income, really,” said Lisa Gustaitis. “The anger and the frustration is what makes you want to cry because you just want to be able to support your family.”

It’s a refrain that has become all too familiar among unemployed Marylanders.

“The weeks are piling up. I have no money. I have kids with no food. Nothing, I have nothing,” said Dana Goodman.

WBAL-TV 11 News has been flooded with emails and calls from frustrated residents who are having trouble filing for unemployment benefits. Now, some who were getting paid said the payments have suddenly stopped.

“I received my first check and my card in the mail about two and a half weeks after I filed, and I have not received another check since then,” Goodman said.

Another refrain: No one can find out what’s going on either via the website, phone or email.

“I’ve been emailing anybody that is related to unemployment. Nobody answers when you try to call. It’s busy. I start at 6:45 in the morning and I don’t stop until 6:30 at night. I can’t ever get through,” Goodman said.

“We’ve tried to call, we’ve gone online, we’ve been kicked out, disconnected. We cannot get a person or any money,” Gustaitis said.

Gov. Larry Hogan addressed the problems with the new system in his press conference Wednesday, saying: “We’re working around the clock. We’ve hired hundreds of people to try and get it fixed. It frustrates the heck out of me, just like all those folks.”

The number of first-time jobless claims fell last week, but, still, almost 40,000 people applied. The total number of those who have filed for unemployment since the middle of March is more than 380,000, and those people have a plea to Maryland officials.

“Fix it for the people because the people are struggling,” Gustaitis said.

They want state officials to hear them and to fix whatever is causing the problem.

“I pay my taxes and I do what I’m supposed to do. All I need is to have money for my family,” Goodman said.

WBAL-TV 11 News reached out to the Maryland Department of Labor and Sagitec, the vendor running the BEACON One-Stop Application website, looking for answers about why some people have stopped getting checks. A response has yet to be received.

The Unemployment Insurance Claim Center hours have been extended weekdays to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and claims centers will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon — call 410-949-0022.

The BEACON One-Stop Online Application website was launched April 24 and has posed problems for many Marylanders since.

Announced April 27, the Maryland Department of Labor is implementing a new gating system:

SUNDAYS and MONDAYS: ONLY residents who are filing weekly claim certifications will be able to file. People who cannot file weekly claim certifications on Sunday or Monday can file it on any other day.

TUESDAYS through SATURDAYS: Residents can file new claims as well as complete all other activities.

Those applying online will see a virtual waiting line: “By entering this system, you will be able to see how many individuals are waiting for site access, receive an estimated wait time that is constantly updated and sign up to receive an email when the system is ready for you to access the platform,” the Maryland Department of Labor posted online April 27.

|| Click here to access the BEACON application ||

ALSO: Department of Labor creates YouTube videos to help with filing unemployment

The BEACON website will be taken offline from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. so that the vendor can run diagnostics and for maintenance.

If you have questions about the new application, you can read the DOL’s BEACON One-Stop FAQs.